Paris Olympics: NOC establishes goals for athletes and administrators

The Ministry of Sports and Federation presidents in particular have received strong encouragement from the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) to make sure that Nigeria surpasses its past performance records in the Olympics.

The charge was delivered by NOC President Habu Gumel during the committee’s virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday.

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In a statement provided to reporters on Thursday, NOC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Tony Nezianya cited Gumel as stating that the nation must make a significant effort to compete in three major games by 2024.

“We need to improve on the 1996 Atlanta Games, where Nigeria won two gold medals, at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris,” he stated.

The NOC President claims that Nigeria’s long jumper Chioma Ajunwa and the football team led by Nwankwo Kanu brought home two solid medals from the 1996 Atlanta Games for Nigeria.

Therefore, even as the nation is ready to compete in the African Games and the Youth Winter Games in 2024, he called for improved performance at the Olympics in Paris.

Gumel was also quoted by Nezianya emphasising the committee’s accomplishments and future goals.

He defined 2023 as a fruitful year for the nation’s sports development.

In her reflection on 2022, Gumel emphasised the Committee’s dedication to fostering the Olympic Movement’s ideals and bringing the Olympic family together.

He gave an account of how the Committee was able to successfully acquire five hectares of land in Abuja for the construction of its secretariat.

He also addressed the Amuwo Odofin project’s completion in Lagos, specifically mentioning the Olympafrica part.

The remarkable achievement of Team Nigeria in the Commonwealth Games, where the nation earned a total of 12 Gold, nine Silver, and 14 Bronze medals, was the high point of the report that Gumel provided.